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Thursday, September 28, 2017

Ladies Night Out – Day to Evening

Inspired Boutique

230 S. Market Ave.
Springfield, MO 65806

Mix and Mingle: 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM Event: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Upcoming Meetings:

All meetings at 425 Downtown, 425 West Walnut Street

Current Month Meeting: 10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation

Whether you have the gift of gab or consider yourself a little shy, good conversation is an important skill everyone can learn!

Introverts and extroverts alike are invited to join AWC Springfield for “10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation,” a TED-X Talk by communication expert Celeste Headlee. It’s the featured program for our luncheon on September 5 at 11:30 a.m.

Headlee’s years of interview experience give her a unique perspective on what makes for a good conversation. The program will be followed by a lively, facilitated discussion on key points from her talk.

Why you should attend:

Communication is a key element in every aspect of life. Celeste Headlee believes honesty, brevity, clarity and a healthy dose of listening are what it takes to have a great conversation. She takes each of these qualities seriously, while delivering them with humor. Learn how to hold a good conversation and practice what you’ve learned afterwards by engaging in conversation with fellow AWC Springfield members and guests!

Speakers: Celeste Headlee, Award-winning Journalist

Celeste Headlee hosts a daily news/talk show, On Second Thought, on Georgia Public Broadcasting. Headlee has worked in public radio since 1999, as a reporter, host and correspondent. She was the Midwest Correspondent for NPR before becoming the co-host of the PRI show "The Takeaway.” After that, she guest hosted a number of NPR shows including "Tell Me More,” "Talk of the Nation,” "Weekend All Things Considered” and "Weekend Edition". Headlee also anchored election coverage for PBS World in 2012 and has been a regular guest on CNN. You can learn more about her by visiting www.celesteheadlee.com.

President’s Letter

Jacqueline Post, President

Ponderings from the President

We’re kicking it back to those business strategy courses in college for this month’s article.

Remember trying to determine why different businesses were successful and others failed? For my fellow Missouri State Grads, I’m sure you can vividly recall Michael Porter’s competitive advantage quadrant. No matter your background, we’re all familiar with how businesses like Apple, Under Armour and Whole Foods find success. Each and every successful business you can think of has found a way to differentiate itself by creating a unique value proposition.

Taking a business principle to a more personal level, what differentiates you as a person? As

adults, we’ve learned being genuine and your true self both yield positive results on your life. Is

there something you’re known for or that separates you from the crowd?

An executive at my organization has used this scenario, “If we merged with another business,

who would lead your area? Would it be you or would it be the staff member from the other

business?” As we look to develop ourselves personally and professionally, it’s really important

As a lover of history, I have always been fascinated with the significance of of AWC’s 1909 founding as Theta Sigma Pi, an honorary women’s journalism society at the University of Washington in Seattle, and its evolution into a professional organization that today champions the advancement of women across all communications disciplines.

Grounded in the history of American cultural advancement, one of AWC’s current ethical values is its commitment to work nationally and internationally for pay equity for women in the workplace and for freedom of information. This value traces back to the post-World War I era when women journalists went to work in newspaper jobs, filling the roles of male colleagues who had gone into battle. Although women gained the right to vote in 1920, gender pay inequality existed in these jobs, and women were regarded as less serious workers.

As more women entered the workforce, Theta Sigma Pi grew profoundly. In 1950 it had 47 campus chapters and 29 alumnae groups; in 1972 it was re-named to Women In Communications, Inc. (WICI), and men were voted into membership. Also in 1972, The Equal Rights Amendment was passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. The next year, WICI joined the national ERA coalition to fight the mounting opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment.

WICI opened a public affairs office in Washington to monitor legislation in 1980, and members raised thousands of dollars for the ERA effort at their regional meetings. It’s most strategic endeavor was the “Family of Americans for the ERA,” represented by a 10-foot-high “house” made of colorful planks that identified the states that already had ratified the ERA. The house symbolized a permanent home for the Equal Rights Amendment in the U.S. Constitution. It was showcased by WICI and other women’s groups at the 1980 Republican National Convention (ref: http://womcom.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=903060&module_id=193714).

In addition to its involvement with the ERA, in 1979 WICI united with 11 communications organizations to found the First Amendment Congress, which works to preserve First Amendment rights. WICI increasingly defended freedoms of speech and the press and joined the National Committee on Pay Equity. With all this going on, membership peaked in the mid-1980’s at about 13,000 and by 1995 WICI had 8,000 members as well as indebtedness. In 1996 WICI was dissolved, and the organization was renamed the Association for Women in Communications. AWC’s management was handed to an outside firm where the finances were stabilized, and today membership is around 3,000.

Beyond all the professional benefits AWC membership now provides us, we can also appreciate the cultural heritage it holds for the hard-won rights of women and freedom of speech and the press. With our awareness of these rights, we can all help shape the future of women and the world at large.

Status of Equal Rights Amendment

On March 22, 1977, the ERA was passed by the U.S. Senate and sent to the states for ratification. In order to be added to the Constitution, the ERA needed approval by legislatures in three-fourths (38) of the 50 states. 35 states had approved the amendment by 1977. The original ratification deadline was extended to 1982, however, no additional states voted yes before that date, and the ERA fell short of ratification. The ERA has been reintroduced into Congress every year since 1982, and many Americans mistakenly believe it has already passed.

The 15 states that did not ratify prior to that deadline were Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia. Many complex legal interpretations of the 1982 deadline leave the ratification process subject to change.

In March 2017, Nevada became the 36th state to ratify the ERA. At the same time, the bill was re-introduced into the Missouri Senate, but no action has occurred. This year, ERA bills have been introduced in the legislatures of six other states.

The Equal Rights Amendment

Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.

AWC Chapter News

New Member Spotlight

Hannah Bunch

Graduate Assistant at Drury University in Community Outreach and Leadership Development

Visual Artist and Painting Instructor

Q: Where do you work and what is your role there?

A: I am the Graduate Assistant for Community Outreach and Leadership Development at Drury University. I am in the Nonprofit and Civic Leadership Master’s Program. I help with community outreach at Drury and help with student programming for our office.

I also am a visual artist and painting instructor. I host group painting classes or paint parties. I also am a painter, sell my work and take commissions.

Q: What attracted you to AWC?

A: My friend and classmate Anjanette introduced me to it. The first event was the speed dating network event and I absolutely loved it as well as all of the amazing women I met that day.

Q: What is your business goal this year?

A: I hope to find a job after graduation as well as expand my career in the arts.

Q: What word best describes you?

A: Passionate

Q: What is your motto in life?

A: Be happy, have fun, do what you love, and love others!

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: I am proud of my time at Drury University and being able to continue there for my Master’s. I learned so much while I was there and feel prepared and excited for whatever comes next in my future.

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: I love painting and all things art related, hiking and being outdoors, playing with my cat (haha), being with friends and family and serving in the community I am in.